Family three: Soap-wise

(Caveat: To suggest that all fathers who go abroad and leave their family behind end up in all-gloom situation is a fiction. This is the fact: lives of most Filipino families -- the material aspect of it at least -- became better because someone in their family decides to work abroad. The following, therefore, is a work of fiction inspired by...well, let's face it, some harsh truths.)

December 1, 2004

Mom.
Dad.
Son, 5.

Jobless.
Fed up.
Wanting.

So she decides to work again; he decides to go abroad. And Junior is too old to fend for himself, so they let Sony take care of Junior's needs.

July 1, 2005

Mom.
Dad.
Son, 5.

Makati.
Saudi.
PS5.

Peso.
Riyals.
Excitement.

Ten hours
(give and take the traffic).
One year.
Forever.

Happily bored.
Unhappily bored.
Couldn't care less.

Their lives -- if you can call it as such -- went like that for five years.

December 31, 2010

Mom.
Dad.
Son, 10.

House.
NAIA.
Room.

Another baby.
Dollars.
Blanked out.

Afraid.
Excited.
Catatonic.

Crying.
Surprised.
Unfeeling.

Angry.
Sorry.
Nothing.

January 2, 2011

Mom.
Dad.
Son.

Saudi.
Makati.
NCMH.

January 2, 2012

Mom.
Dad.
Son.

New family.
New family.
New 'family'.

All three contented.

► Some of our articles are not this sad. Read them here.